In an unusual form of agitation, ministerial staff of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) across Kerala extended their working hours until 8:00 pm on Thursday. The protest was organised to voice opposition against recent amendments to service rules, which employees claim will severely hinder their career advancement and promotion prospects.
The demonstration, led by the Kerala Motor Vehicle Department Staff Association, follows changes made to the "Special Rules" that govern recruitment, qualifications and promotions within state government departments.
According to association leaders, the core grievance lies in the altered promotion ratio:
Previous System: Traditionally, for every two Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) promoted to the rank of Joint Regional Transport Officer (Joint RTO), one Senior Superintendent from the ministerial wing was also promoted.
New Amendment: Employees allege that the recent changes have disrupted this balance, significantly reducing the promotion path for ministerial cadre staff.
ALSO READ: 'F**k China, India, US’: Balen Shah’s Deleted 2025 Post Resurfaces Amid Nepal Elections
A Protest Without Disrupting Public Service
Unlike typical strikes that involve halting work, RTO employees across the state, including women staff, opted to stay on duty for several additional hours beyond their shifts.
At the Kasaragod RTO, staff remained at their desks until 8:00 pm to ensure that pending tasks were completed while still registering their dissent. Suresh Kumar, a senior clerk at the RTO, explained the reasoning behind this unique approach to the media:
"We are mindful that stalling work could be against the public and government interest. Halting services could be detrimental to society, which is why we are working an additional three hours. We want our protest to be noticed and our grievances to be clearly understood."
Impact and Expectations
By choosing to work extra hours rather than striking, the staff aimed to highlight their dedication while pressuring authorities to address their concerns. The protesters have expressed hope that the state government will take immediate measures to redress their grievances regarding the stagnation of their professional growth.